by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann described Franz Beckenbauer as “the best footballer in German history” following the World Cup-winning player and manager’s death aged 78.
Beckenbauer won the World Cup as a player in 1974 before leading the team to victory as manager in Italy in 1990. He also won the European Cup three times with Bayern Munich, a record Nagelsmann believes makes him a cut above the rest. .
Nagelsmann said on the DFB (German Football Association) website: “For me, Franz Beckenbauer was the best footballer in German history. His portrayal of the libero role changed the game.
“Franz Beckenbauer could swim across the field. As a player and later also as a coach he was sublime, he stood above things.
Very sad to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has passed away. One of the masterpieces of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful footballers who won it all with grace and wonder. RIP.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 8, 2024
“When Franz Beckenbauer entered a room, the room lit up. Until the end, he was surrounded by an aura that health problems could not shake. I am honored to have been able to meet him and will remember him fondly.”
Bayern striker and England captain Harry Kane wrote on Instagram: “In my time at the club so far it’s clear what he has meant to Bayern and to football in this country. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
And some of Britain’s greatest former players have also put traditional rivalries aside to pay their respects, led by Gary Lineker, who played against his German side in the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
Lineker wrote on X: “I am sorry to hear that Franz Beckenbauer has passed away. One of the masterpieces of our game. Der Kaiser was the most beautiful footballers who won it all with grace and wonder. RIP.”
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game. It was a privilege to share one of my proudest moments with him when he awarded me my 100th Scotland cap. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP der Kaiser pic.twitter.com/32p8T2rEkI
— Sir Kenny Dalglish (@kennethdalglish) January 8, 2024
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, another member of the England team who were beaten on penalties in Italia ’90, said on social media: “Very sad to hear the great @beckenbauer has sadly passed away.
“He was a great player who achieved world class status @FIFAWorldCup RIP.”
Kenny Dalglish recalled an important meeting while also paying tribute, writing on X: “It saddens me to hear of the death of Franz Beckenbauer, a true icon of the game.
“It was a privilege to share one of my greatest moments with him when he presented me with my 100th Scotland cap. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. RIP Der Kaiser.”
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand described Beckenbauer as an inspiration who helped shape his own approach.
“He had grace, poise and class, and he was a winner,” Ferdinand wrote on X. “He definitely influenced the way I tried to play the game even though I never got close to his level.”
Another international defender, Jamie Carragher, said: “As a kid he was the first foreign footballer I ever heard of, that’s why I’d hear any player try to play out from the back whether at pro or amateur level, I think that he is Beckenbauer’.
“It shows the impact he had on the world game and how he helped change it.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who coached Bayern from 2013-16, posted a picture with the great German on Instagram and wrote: “It was an honor to share good moments at @fcbayern. Rest in peace, @franzbeckenbauer.”
A sense of deep sadness filled the German game, especially at his old club Bayern, who wrote in a statement: “The world of FC Bayern is not what it used to be – suddenly darker, quieter, poorer.
“The German record champions mourn Franz Beckenbauer, the unique ‘Emperor’, without whom FC Bayern would not be the club it is today. Rest in peace.”
Bayern and Germany striker Thomas Muller called Beckenbauer “one of the best footballers in the club’s history”, while former chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he “rewrote the history of German football and left a lasting impression”.
Rummenigge added: “As a personality, it affected his respect for everyone – because everyone was equal before Franz.
“German football is losing the greatest personality of its history. We miss him more than painfully. Thank you for everything, dear Franz. “…
Lothar Matthaus, who captained the team that won the 1990 World Cup, described Beckenbauer’s death as “a loss for football and for Germany as a whole”.
Matthaus told German media outlet Bild: “He was one of the greatest people as a player and as a coach, but he was also off the field.
Suddenly, our lives are not what they used to be – darker, quieter and worse. The record champions are mourning the loss of Franz Beckenbauer, the incomparable ‘Kaiser’ without whom FC Bayern would not be a club today.
Rest in peace, Cashier.
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 8, 2024
“Franz was an outstanding personality, not only in football, and he achieved worldwide recognition.”
Another member of the 1990 squad and current DFB director of the senior national team, Rudi Voller, described knowing and playing under Beckenbauer as “one of the great privileges of my life”.
Voller told the DFB website: “I would crown our time with the national team with the 1990 World Cup title in Rome, a title that would never have been possible without his great coaching performance.
“The ‘Kaiser’ was an inspiration to more than one generation, he will forever remain a shining light of German football.”
A statement from the Bundesliga read: “The people of the Bundesliga are very saddened to learn of the death of Franz Beckenbauer. A true icon, then, now, and always. RIP, Der Kaiser!”
